An excerpt from “A Cup of Tea on the Commode.”
…We attended Easter Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, where even at church, Porsches, Mercedes, and Jaguars steal the scarce “handicap parking” spaces. This confirmed my belief that the disabled only drive the swankiest cars. I don’t believe the lack of morals qualifies as a disability, but perhaps these car owners do. Though Mom couldn’t remember her last Mass, I would think in the eyes of the Church, lack of mobility, and near-death qualified as valid excuses for any lapse. So, Heaven—for her, and not the morally disabled—should still be in the cards. We also stopped by Valleau cemetery to say hi to Dad. It had been fifteen years since we laid him to rest, and I’m sure at least a couple since Mom’s last hello. Her lack of mobility and near-death qualifies here too. She sat stern and silent for a few minutes. Then I heard her whisper, “I miss ya.” And I, once again, was reduced to tears.
(photo: I got Mom all dolled up for Easter Mass, but we were late due to the parking situation)